The role of damage control surgery in the treatment of perforated colonic diverticulitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Damage control surgery (DCS) is the classic approach to manage severe trauma and has recently also been considered an appropriate approach to the treatment of critically ill patients with severe intra-abdominal sepsis. The purpose of the present review is to evaluate the outcomes following DCS for Hinchey II-IV complicated acute diverticulitis (CAD). METHODS: A comprehensive systematic search was undertaken to identify all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies, irrespectively of their size, publication status, and language. Adults who have undergone DCS for CAD Hinchey II, III, or IV were included in this review. DCS is compared with the immediate and definitive surgical treatment in the form of HP, colonic resection, and primary anastomosis (RPA) with or without covering stoma or laparoscopic lavage. We searched the following electronic databases: PubMed MEDLINE, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge. The protocol of this systematic review and meta-analysis was published on Prospero (CRD42020144953). RESULTS: Nine studies with 318 patients, undergoing DCS, were included. The presence of septic shock at the presentation in the emergency department was heterogeneous, and the weighted mean rate of septic shock across the studies was shown to be 35.1% [95% CI 8.4 to 78.6%]. The majority of the patients had Hinchey III (68.3%) disease. The remainder had either Hinchey IV (28.9%) or Hinchey II (2.8%). Phase I is similarly described in most of the studies as lavage, limited resection with closed blind colonic ends. In a few studies, resection and anastomosis (9.1%) or suture of the perforation site (0.9%) were performed in phase I of DCS. In those patients who underwent DCS, the most common method of temporary abdominal closure (TAC) was the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) (97.8%). The RPA was performed in 62.1% [95% CI 40.8 to 83.3%] and the 22.7% [95% CI 15.1 to 30.3%]: 12.8% during phase I and 87.2% during phase III. A covering ileostomy was performed in 6.9% [95% CI 1.5 to 12.2%]. In patients with RPA, the overall leak was 7.3% [95% CI 4.3 to 10.4%] and the major anastomotic leaks were 4.7% [95% CI 2.0 to 7.4%]; the rate of postoperative mortality was estimated to be 9.2% [95% CI 6.0 to 12.4%]. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis revealed an approximately 62.1% weighted rate of achieving GI continuity with the DCS approach to generalized peritonitis in Hinchey III and IV with major leaks of 4.7% and overall mortality of 9.2%. Despite the promising results, we are aware of the limitations related to the significant heterogeneity of inclusion criteria. Importantly, the low rate of reported septic shock may point toward selection bias. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical advantages and cost-effectiveness of the DCS approach.

Phrenic nerve paralysis after bipolar electrocoagulation of endometriosis of the diaphragm: case report and mini review.

Objective: To present a case of persistent postoperative elevation of the right hemidiaphragm after bipolar electrocoagulation of diaphragmatic endometriosis, highly likely because of collateral thermal damage to key branches of the phrenic nerve, and review the literature on diaphragmatic endometriosis, focusing on operative treatment. Design: Case report and mini review. Setting: Single university-based interdisciplinary endometriosis center. Patients: A 33-year-old nulliparous patient, initially presenting with right-sided shoulder and back pain accompanied by severe dysmenorrhea and diarrhea. Written consent for the use of anonymized data and images for research purposes was obtained. Interventions: Laparoscopic surgery with bipolar electrocoagulation of multiple superficial endometriotic lesions on the right hemidiaphragm and excision of bilateral deep infiltrating endometriosis on the sacrouterine ligaments. Main Outcome Measures: Outcome and complication of surgical treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis. Results: Three weeks after surgical treatment, the patient complained of exertional dyspnea and pain in the right flank. Imaging showed a postoperative elevation of the right hemidiaphragm, which did not resolve over the following 6 months. We suspect collateral thermal damage to key branches of the phrenic nerve after bipolar electrocoagulation of extensive superficial diaphragmatic lesions. Conclusions: During laparoscopic treatment of diaphragmatic endometriosis, bipolar electrocoagulation should be used sparingly and with caution to avoid potentially damaging the phrenic nerve.

Efficacy and safety of ertapenem versus piperacillin-tazobactam for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections requiring surgical intervention.

Complicated intra-abdominal infections usually mandate prompt surgical intervention supplemented by appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that ertapenem was not inferior to piperacillin-tazobactam for the treatment of community-acquired intra-abdominal infections. A randomized open-label active-comparator clinical trial was conducted at 48 medical centers on four continents from December 2001 to February 2003. Adult patients with intra-abdominal infections requiring surgery were randomized to receive either ertapenem 1 g daily or piperacillin/tazobactam 13.5 g daily in 3-4 divided doses. The primary analysis of efficacy was the clinical response rate in clinically and microbiologically evaluable patients at the test-of-cure assessment 2 weeks after completion of therapy. All treated patients were included in the safety analysis. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment duration in both treatment groups were generally similar. The most commonly isolated pathogens at baseline were E coli (greater than 50% of cases in each group) and B fragilis ( approximately 9%). Favorable clinical response rates were 107/119 (90%) for ertapenem recipients and 107/114 (94%) for piperacillin/tazobactam recipients. The frequencies of drug-related adverse events, most commonly diarrhea and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels, were similar in both treatment groups. Six of 180 ertapenem recipients (3%) and two of 190 piperacillin/tazobactam recipients (1%) had serious drug-related adverse experiences. In this study, ertapenem and piperacillin/tazobactam were comparably safe and effective treatments for adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections.

Bloodstream infection following 217 consecutive systemic-enteric drained pancreas transplants.

BACKGROUND: Combined kidney pancreas transplantation (PTx) evolved as excellent treatment for diabetic nephropathy. Infections remain common and serious complications. METHODS: 217 consecutive enteric drained PTxs performed from 1997 to 2004 were retrospectively analyzed with regard to bloodstream infection. Immunosuppression consisted of antithymocyteglobuline induction, tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid and steroids for the majority of cases. Standard perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis consisted of pipercillin/tazobactam in combination with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole. RESULTS: One year patient, pancreas and kidney graft survival were 96.4%, 88.5% and 94.8%, surgical complication rate was 35%, rejection rate 30% and rate of infection 59%. In total 46 sepsis episodes were diagnosed in 35 patients (16%) with a median onset on day 12 (range 1-45) post transplant. Sepsis source was intraabdominal infection (IAI) (n = 21), a contaminated central venous line (n = 10), wound infection (n = 5), urinary tract infection (n = 2) and graft transmitted (n = 2). Nine patients (4%) experienced multiple episodes of sepsis. Overall 65 pathogens (IAI sepsis 39, line sepsis 15, others 11) were isolated from blood. Gram positive cocci accounted for 50 isolates (77%): Coagulase negative staphylococci (n = 28, i.e. 43%) (nine multi-resistant), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 11, i.e. 17%) (four multi-resistant), enterococci (n = 9, i.e. 14%) (one E. faecium). Gram negative rods were cultured in twelve cases (18%). Patients with blood borne infection had a two year pancreas graft survival of 76.5% versus 89.4% for those without sepsis (p = 0.036), patient survival was not affected. CONCLUSION: Sepsis remains a serious complication after PTx with significantly reduced pancreas graft, but not patient survival. The most common source is IAI.

Severe intra-abdominal infection due to Streptococcus Milleri following adjustable gastric banding.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding represents a safe and effective bariatric surgical method. Nevertheless, complications such as intraabdominal infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality. CASE REPORT: A 50-year old morbidly obese female patient underwent adjustable gastric banding with the Swedish band (SAGB). After an uneventful postoperative follow-up of 2 years, she developed band infection due to colon microperforation during endoscopic polypectomy. As the causative microorgansim, Streptococcus Milleri was revealed. Band removal was required, and recovery was quite prolonged. CONCLUSION: Intra-abdominal infection with Streptococcus Milleri can cause severe and life-threatening disease. Therefore, early diagnosis and surgical intervention combined with body weight adapted antibiotic therapy for a sufficiently long period of time seems necessary. In patients with intra-abdominal implanted devices such as the SAGB who undergo endoscopic polypectomy, antibiotic prophylaxis should therefore be considered.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on anal sphincter function in patients with carcinoma of the midrectum and low rectum.

HYPOTHESIS: Preoperative chemoradiation for patients with stage II and III midrectal and low rectal cancer may improve survival and decrease local recurrence rate. We evaluated the long-term impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on anal sphincter function. DESIGN: Prospective analysis. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: From March 1, 1996, to January 31, 2002, 50 patients with midrectal and low rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision were prospectively enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either surgical therapy alone (group 1, n = 22) or preoperative, combined chemoradiation (group 2, n = 28). Group 2 was divided into patients with midrectal (group 2A, n = 14) and low rectal (group 2B, n = 14) cancer. Anorectal manometry was performed preoperatively and a median of 384 days postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anal resting pressure, squeeze pressure, anal sphincter vector volumes, length of the high-pressure zone, sensory threshold of the pouch, and rectal capacity. RESULTS: Preoperative manometric values were comparable between the groups. No statistically significant manometric differences occurred in group 1 postoperatively. Mean resting pressure (preoperative and postoperative, respectively: 89 +/- 35 mm Hg, 53 +/- 17 mm Hg), resting vector volume (605 +/- 324 cm( 3), 142 +/- 88 cm(3)), and maximal tolerable volume (144 +/- 29 mL, 82 +/- 44 mL) decreased significantly in chemoradiated patients postoperatively (P<.05). Manometric values of group 2B patients remained stable postoperatively, while mean resting pressure (73 +/- 22 mm Hg vs 52 +/- 14 mm Hg) and resting vector volume (631 +/- 288 cm(3) vs 145 +/- 78 cm(3)) decreased significantly in group 2A patients (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Total mesorectal excision does not influence anal sphincter function during long-term follow-up. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation results in disordered anal sphincter function in patients with midrectal cancer. Low and rectoanal anastomosis seems to obtain better anal sphincter function than higher anastomosis in chemoradiated patients.

Impact of cytomegalovirus match on survival after cardiac and lung transplantation.

Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and indirect effects caused by the virus alter the outcome after solid organ transplantation. Long-term results after 54 lung and 139 cardiac transplants at a single center have been retrospectively analyzed with regard to CMV status. Standard CMV prophylaxis consisted of ganciclovir for 100 days. Lung recipients were pretransplant CMV negative in 32 per cent as compared to heart recipients with 23 per cent. Patient survival after mismatch transplants (donor positive, recipient negative) was significantly reduced as compared to the other match groups (42% vs 76% at five years, P = 0.01). In heart recipients, CMV positive patients receiving a CMV negative graft showed best survival, whereas in the group of lung recipients negative/negative matched transplants produced best results. In both groups, CMV negative grafts had a better outcome than CMV positive grafts, and a survival difference between heart and lung recipients was only observed in recipients of a CMV positive grafts. Despite ganciclovir prophylaxis, CMV match remains an important factor for survival following heart and, even more profoundly, lung transplantation. Because survival was least favorable in the mismatched group, prophylactic regimens warrant improvement. For CMV negative lung recipients, CMV matching might be considered.